Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”
Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in sports –
Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Toronto Raptors, all curlers from Manitoba, and all Canadian athletes competing on the international stage.
I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula. I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.
1. Raptors: Toronto/Golden State have split the first two games of their series and it has not disappointed so far. I really hope this series goes seven games.
2. FYI: Just a quirky observation but the NHL calls it the “Stanley Cup Final” and the NBA calls it “NBA Finals”.
3. NHL: RFA Offer Sheet Compensation
These numbers are based on next season’s (2019-20) salary cap.
NHL teams must have their own draft picks for use in compensation.
$1,395,053 or below: None
$1,395,054-$2,113,716: 3rd
$2,113,717-$4,227,437: 2nd
$4,227,438-$6,341,152: 1st and a 3rd
$6,341,153-$8,454,871: 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd
$8,454,872-$10,568,589:
Two 1sts, a 2nd, and a 3rd
Over
$10,568,590: Four 1sts
4. CFL: The CFL has taken over ownership of the Montreal Alouettes. I think they are going to have a hard time finding an owner for this beleaguered franchise. Too bad. I can’t help but wonder if the CFL is dead in Canada’s biggest markets?
5. NHL: I’m a huge hockey fan but I’m actually amazed at how little interest I have in the SC Final.
6. Jets: In case you were wondering if some team would extend an offer sheet to Jacob Trouba, I don’t think he would sign one. WHY? Because the Jets would just match it out of spite and now Trouba is stuck here.
7. Jets: I wonder if Chevy and the Winnipeg Jets organisation have gotten cold feet on signing Patrick Laine to a big money, eight-year deal? After Laine’s first two seasons this would have been a no-brainer but last season Laine’s inconsistent play might have thrown a monkey wrench into this plan.
8. Blue Jays: Sometimes a stint in the minors isn’t a bad thing. Lourdes Gurriel’s returned from AAA Buffalo and promptly went on an eight-game hitting streak. The streak ended on Sunday afternoon when he was called in to pinch hit late in the game versus the Rockies and struck out. It looks like the stint in Buffalo has really worked for Gurriel. His hitting has been excellent since returning to the big club and his work in the outfield has been solid PLUS he has the best hair in the MLB.
9. Jets: In a blockbuster move, the Winnipeg Jets signed forward Andrei Chibisov on a one-year, entry-level contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $925,000. Excuse me if I’m not all giddy about the Jets signing a 26-year-old forward that scored 20-points in the KHL last season. Pfffft.
10. Important Dates:
June 15: Winnipeg Blue Bombers season opener at BC.
June 21: 2019 NHL Entry Draft – First round selections.
June 22: 2019 NHL Entry Draft – Second thru seventh-round selections.
June 23: The NHL’s interview period for UFAs (unrestricted free agents) to speak to teams other than their own will open at noon ET. During this period, pending UFAs will be able to meet with prospective teams, but are not permitted to discuss contract details (although they do).
June 26: The RFA (restricted free agent) contact or interview period opens at noon ET. During this period, pending RFAs will be able to meet with prospective teams, but are not permitted to discuss contract details (although they do).
June 27: Winnipeg Blue Bombers home opener vs Edmonton.
July 1: NHL’s free agency opens at noon ET.
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Thanks, Mitch
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